Unopposed candidates draw heftiest contributions

NEW BEDFORD — Two unopposed candidates have raised the most money so far this year, drawing in part on donations from current or former politicians, according to campaign finance reports due Tuesday.

NATALIE SHERMAN

NEW BEDFORD — Two unopposed candidates have raised the most money so far this year, drawing in part on donations from current or former politicians, according to campaign finance reports due Tuesday.

Ward 2 Councilor Steve Martins was the city's top fundraiser, taking home $14,220, about $800 from former or current politicians or candidates. Martins spent $13,837, leaving him with $29,291 in reserve, most of that raised previously.

School Committee member Bruce Oliveira raised $13,475, also receiving roughly $800 from former or current politicians or candidates. He finished the period with $5,523, after spending $9,151.

At-Large City Council candidate Linda Morad raised only $176 this period but has one of the city's largest war chests, with $30,759 in funds left over from her unsuccessful 2011 mayoral run.

Similarly, School Committee member Jack Nobrega, who started with $87,998, did not raise money this period. He closed the period with $73,099, after spending more than Martins received.

Many candidates did not file their reports by the 5 p.m. deadline, including at-large councilors Debora Coelho, Brian Gomes, and John Saunders.

Although Ward 5 Jane Gonsalves announced in July that she would not seek re-election, she was nevertheless one of the most successful fundraisers, drawing $8,895 in donations. She closed the period with $4,657, with expenses that included a $100 donation to Jan Baptist, who is seeking to succeed Gonsalves on the council. Baptist did not file a report.

Many challengers appeared to be focusing their attention on making it past the Oct. 8 preliminary, spending the bulk of the funds they raised.

In the Ward 5 race, candidates Craig Dixon and John Radcliffe, who both declared themselves early on, secured $3,790 and $2,125 respectively, spending almost all of their funds. At-large candidates, including Pete Wilde, Ian Abreu and Ralf Rho, appeared to be following similar strategies. Wilde raised $3,385, spending all except $105. Abreu, who started the campaign with $1,336, raised $2,405 then spent down to $1,396. Rho raised $2,250 and closed at $291.

In the School Committee race, by contrast, challenger Josh Amaral raised $4,608 but spent less than half.

As in previous years, ABC Disposal President Michael Camara gave some of the largest donations, including $300 each to Gonsalves, Martins and At-Large Councilor David Alves.

This article was revised on Oct. 7, 2013 to reflect the following:Candi­dates who will not appear on the preliminary ballot do not have to file a pre-preliminary report, thanks to a change in the laws that went into effect for the first time this year.